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The internet was abuzz several weeks back when the privately operated OceanGate Titan submersible went missing while exploring the wreck of the Titanic. The US Coast Guard later confirmed that the submarine was destroyed by a structural failure, causing an instantaneous implosion. Now, OceanGate has confirmed in the most subtle way possible that it’s shutting down.
OceanGate had completed several previous deep-sea expeditions with the Titan, but the descent on June 18 would be its last. The sub carried OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, along with four paying passengers. Contact was lost 1 hour and 45 minutes into the journey at the same time the sonar stations detected a loud bang. Rescue crews searched for days, but now it appears all five aboard were killed when the pressure hull failed. It’s possible they never even knew there was a problem, as the incredible pressure would have crushed everything inside the submersible in a fraction of a second.
The company has been mum since the Coast Guard confirmed the destruction of the Titan, along with the recovery of presumed human remains. Now, OceanGate has updated its website with a notice announcing it has suspended operations. The note is in small red text at the top next to its contact information. “OceanGate has suspended all exploration and commercial operations,” the note reads. As of this posting, the site was still available, but its reliability has tanked, and several pages describing the company’s missions are broken.
The shutdown notice on OceanGate’s website.
Credit: OceanGate
OceanGate was run by businessman and engineer Rush, who was at the Logitech controller in the sub that day. Also on board were explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani-British billionaire Shahzada Dawood, and Dawood’s son Suleman.
Since the Titan’s loss, reports have surfaced that OceaGate employees attempted to want Rush of the danger to which he was exposing passengers. There were issues with the sub’s window being too weak for the depth, cables that could snag, and more. Rush reportedly fired the company’s director of marine operations, David Lochridge, when he spoke up about the issues.
It certainly sounds like OceanGate behaved negligently under Rush’s leadership, but Rush himself is gone. The bereaved families of billionaires have massive resources at their disposal to file lawsuits, and there were two of them aboard the Titan. OceanGate is no doubt expecting to be hit hard in court, so ending operations might be the only thing left to do.
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